Public comments on the proposed changes will be accepted through May 26
The Metropolitan Council invites the public to comment on proposed changes aimed at making fares simpler and more affordable. Under the proposal, express bus fares would become $3 at all times and $1 youth fares would be extended to riders up to 18 years old.
Comments on the proposed changes can be submitted through Metro Transit’s website through Tuesday, May 26, and at a series of public meetings. After comments are evaluated and addressed, the Metropolitan Council will be asked to act on proposed changes in late August.
Changes to fares for fixed route service apply to all regional transit providers, including Metro Transit, Maple Grove Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), SouthWest Transit, and Plymouth Metrolink.
“These proposed changes are part of an ongoing effort to make fares easier to understand and to purchase as well as to ensure riding transit remains an affordable way to travel,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said.
The proposed changes out for public comment now include:
- Moving full-priced express bus fares to $3 all day instead of $3.25 during weekday peak periods and $2.50 at all other times. Those eligible for reduced fares could ride express bus routes any time for $1. The change reflects a shift to all-day express bus service that meets a variety of trip purposes beyond work trips.
- Expanding the age range for $1 youth fares from 6 to 12 years to 6 to 18 years (children under 5 are not required to have a fare). The change will lower costs for youth who do not have access to a transit pass through their school.
- Making fares for the Metropolitan Council’s Metro micro service, the on-demand rideshare service, $4 at all times.
A previous round of changes aimed at simplifying fares was implemented in January 2025.
How to share input
To share written comments, visit metrotransit.org/fare-updates. Public hearings will be held on:
- Wednesday, May 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m., George Latimer Central Library, 90 West 4th St, St. Paul
- Thursday, May 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
- Thursday, May 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Virtual (register)
New fare collection equipment coming
Metro Transit is also moving forward with plans to modernize fare collection equipment on buses and at stations.
The new equipment will allow riders to purchase fares using cash or contactless payment methods like Apple Pay and enable a transition to a system that allows customers to put money for fare purchases into online accounts (money is currently loaded onto fare cards, which need to be canceled and replaced if lost).
Later in 2027, the technology will also be used to automatically limit the total amount a rider pays daily or monthly. Riders eligible for reduced fares would pay no more than $32 a month in fares, and riders who pay full fares would pay no more than $64 a month in local fares or $96 a month in express bus fares.
Contact: Laura Baenen, [email protected]